Pittsburgh Bike Map Version 4 has hit the streets

Brand new Pittsburgh Bike Map v4 is now available. Lots of updates and additions!

We are proud to announce the release of Version 4 of our Pittsburgh Bike Map. For this latest edition, we made several dramatic design changes as well as incorporating user feedback.

What’s New?

The most noticeable difference is an updated look and feel. We replaced the cartoon-like appearance with a new design “based on a principal of simplistic convenience,” says Colin Miller, a Visual Designer at Deeplocal. “The Bike Map is for those who will use it, bikers – so I didn’t want to take away from the true purpose of the map with unnecessary frills.”

The new style is intended to keep the information at the forefront, making it convenient for the viewer so the maximum amount of information could be conveyed with the least amount of visual effort. The graphics were all stripped down to be viewed more as icons than illustrations which keeps the map simple but communicative.

The changes were also meant to help users see the depth of the hills, ravines, and valleys that distinguish Pittsburgh. This was accomplished by more clearly labeling many of our bridges, specifically where it was important to show when bike route go over or under them. Second, we distinguished hillsides from parks by coloring hillsides a grayish green and coloring the parks grass green. Pairing the “steep hill” icons on the streets with the hillside coloration we clearly show where our biggest topographic challenges are to bicyclists. As is the case with Carson Street and Grandview Avenue, for example, a 2D map may merely show parallel streets next to each other, but in reality, one of them may be actually be several hundred feet above. We attempted to visually show these features that bicyclists care about without adding all the noise of a typical topographic map.

User feedback was also incorporated into the latest version, namely increasing its readability. We ditched the all-caps of the past three versions in favor of title case and increased the font size. The “on-street bike route” and bike lanes now stand out stronger than ever before. We’re getting more bike lanes installed every year, so we wanted a clear way for people to find them, as well as showcase the work that we’re doing.

A brief History of the Pittsburgh Bike Map

In 2007, BikePGH, in collaboration with Deeplocal, produced the City’s first commuter-oriented bike map since the Masloff administration’s bike map in 1992. The map helps cyclists plan a route in the safest way available. Streets are either designated at an “on-street bicycle route” (with added distinction of on-street markings) “cautionary bike route,” or “trail.” Routes were determined based off the City of Pittsburgh’s Bicycle Route Network as well as in the field research by BikePGH staff and volunteers. The map also exists to help direct BikePGH’s advocacy efforts and inform the City of Pittsburgh as to where bicycle improvements should be made. The Heinz Endowments has supported the map since it’s inception.

BikePGH will be celebrating the map release during Pittsburgh Park(ing) Day, Friday September 16 from 8am-4pm. Park(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, international event where people collaborate to temporarily transform spaces designed for vehicle use into a communal space for public use. The Bike Pittsburgh lounge will be located in the space in front of Espresso A Mano at 3623 Butler St in Lawrenceville. We will have a button maker for people to make DIY buttons and will distribute the brand new bike maps.

Like the Pittsburgh Bike Map? Support the map by becoming a member today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership.....

[…] staff! We’ll keep it cold for you in the meantime. Be sure to check out their award-winning Pittsburgh Bike Map for the lodown on how to get around the city on your bike. There’s also a “once in a […]